Hensoldt, a defence and security sensor specialist, and Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions provider Frequentis have announced that the two companies are working together to develop new integrated counter-UAS (unmanned aerial system) solutions for airports.
Frequentis will contribute expertise and technologies from the fields of UTM/ATM/drone detection, data fusion and exchange (MosaiX SWIM), shared situational awareness and ATM-grade surveillance data automation (SDDS-NG, MSDF, PRISMA), cross-agency incident management (ICM), and operational requirement analysis. Hensoldt will provide detection, identification and mitigation modules from their existing Xpeller counter-UAS system.
Both companies have already been collaborating on the FALKE project, which aims to develop the ability to intercept small drones that enter restricted airspaces at airports. Hamburg Airport will be the model for the new solution, with the partners demonstrating a technical and organisational concept to defend against illegally operating drones.
The FALKE project consortium also includes the German Federal Police, German Air Traffic Control (DFS), Lufthansa, Hamburg Airport, and the chair of electrical measurement of the Helmut Schmidt University (HSU) in Hamburg.
Günter Graf, Frequentis Head of Business Development, commented: “The formation of this MoU further reinforces our intention to create effective solutions to differentiate cooperative and non-cooperative flying objects, ensure shared situational awareness across all organisations and interoperability with existing airport surveillance infrastructures and available UAV traffic management (UTM) systems. We are pleased to be working on this common goal with Hensoldt, combining our strengths.”
Markus Wolf, Head of Sales and Business Development at Hensoldt Ventures, said: “Together with Frequentis, we will create a modular counter-UAV system optimised for the specific needs of airports. Xpeller demonstrates Hensoldt’s innovative capabilities, answering our customer’s needs to detect and act against unmanned threats. Due to its versatility, Xpeller is able to offer maximum protection under a variety of conditions and ranges. While available as a fully functional stand-alone system, its modular approach enables us to easily join forces with partners like Frequentis.”
